Holy Thursday 2011
April 28, 2011
The first Diocesan service since the re-opening of the Cathedral took place on Holy Thursday, with the celebration of the Chrism Mass. The Cathedral was packed, with people standing at the back and around the sides, and some of the congregation getting a closer acquaintance with the choir in the choir loft than they might have wished. Read more
Solemn Mass of Dedication for Cathedral Altar
April 28, 2011
The Rite of Sprinkling
On the following day a Solemn Mass was celebrated to dedicate the new altar and to mark the 6th Anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Conti was joined by the Bishops of Scotland and the newly appointed Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, as well as priests and parish representatives from across the Diocese. Members of the St. Mungo Singers and the Cathedral Choir, plus the instrumentalists from the previous evening provided musical support for the Mass. Read more
Vespers for Re-opening of St. Andrew’s Cathedral
April 28, 2011
The Cathedral full of light and colour
St. Andrew’s Cathedral was re-opened and its new altar dedicated on 10 April 2011. On the evening before, an ecumenical service of Vespers to celebrate the completion of the restoration work was held , attended by an invited congregation which included church leaders, national and local politicians (including the First Minister Alex Salmond), consular representatives, members of civil and educational organisations, and representatives of parishes throughout the Diocese. As the guests gathered, a trio of instrumentalists played on violin (Clare O’Neill), clarsach (Carissa Bovill) and whistle (John Allen) a selection of Celtic melodies. Read more
Lenten Vespers Workshop
April 22, 2011
The Music Committee of the Archdiocese held a well attended workshop for Lenten Vespers at St. Mary’s, Calton on 31 March. The evening began with a sung Vespers, presided over by Mgr. Peter Smith, to give those present who might not have experienced this form of liturgy a taste of it before the teaching and discussions. Read more
Argyll & Isles Chrism Mass
April 22, 2011
The Chrism Mass took place on Wednesday 13 April. Bishop Toal was joined by priests from across the Diocese, members of the Diocesan Choir and a capacity congregation. The entry procession was accompanied by the singing of “Praise to the Holiest in the Heights”, setting the tone of joy for the celebration. It was followed by the Russian Kyrie, the Bellahouston Gloria, and the sung Responsorial Psalm ( the Fitzpatrick setting of Ps.68). Read more
Funeral of Fr. Peter Clinton
April 22, 2011
On 14 April 2011, Croy bade farewell to a much loved son, Fr. Peter Clinton, who died at the age of 88. The church of Holy Cross, Croy, was crowded for the funeral Mass, concelebrated by Archbishop Conti and a large number of Fr. Peter’s fellow priests. The music of the Mass was supported by the Croy Male Voice Choir and Croy Silver Band. Read more
A short Stations of the Cross
April 12, 2011
Stations of the Cross
The First Station: Jesus is condemned to death
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We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Jesus was unjustly condemned. He accepted this out of love for us.
Help us, Lord, to accept what we find hard in life,
And to place our trust in your promise that we will never be without your presence.
Pause
Second Station: Jesus takes up his cross
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross:
You have redeemed the world.
With great courage Jesus took up his cross.
Help us, Lord, to follow your example and walk with you through life.
Pause
Third Station: Jesus falls the first time
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross:
You have redeemed the world.
Jesus became like us in human weakness and frailty.
Support us Lord when we stumble and fall.
Pause
Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . . .
Mary your mother was always there for you.
Help us to be there for our friends and families in all difficult times,
And to show them your compassion.
Pause
Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps carry the cross
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . . .
Simon shared the weight of your cross as you went forward to lay down your life for us all.
Be with us as we strive to reach out to those in need in our world today.
Pause
Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . .
The compassion of Veronica for you in your hour of need
is a pale reflection of your great compassion for all of us.
Help us to show your love in deeds of kindness to all we meet.
Pause
Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . .
With great courage you continued and went forward on the road to Calvary.
Help us to be strong and to draw courage from you when we meet life’s problems.
Pause
Eighth Station: Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . . .
Jesus was aware of the depth of grief these women showed for him,
and he in turn showed great concern for their future and the future of their children.
When we are in pain, help us to look outward and be open to the pain of others.
Pause
Ninth Station: Jesus falls the third time
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . .
When all seemed lost, Jesus persevered in doing the will of the Father,
and drew strength from his Father.
Teach us how to draw strength from you when life and all the problems of our world seem too much for us.
Pause
Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of his garments
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . . .
Every possession was taken from Jesus, and his great heart of love was revealed to us.
Help us to have poverty of spirit that we may see your love everywhere.
Pause
Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . . .
Nailed to the cross, Jesus freely offered his life for us and for the whole human race.
When we feel constrained and trapped by fears in life, give us the grace of inner freedom
which sees your hand at work in all the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Pause
Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . .
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last and sent forth his spirit.
Give us great hope and trust that nothing can separate us from your love,
not even death itself.
Pause
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Accepting death upon the cross:
You gained us life.
Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . . . . .
The small group of followers gave you in death to Mary, your Mother.
May she gather us and form us into your faithful disciples,
ready to witness to your goodness and love.
Pause
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
We praise you, O Christ, and we bless you . . . . . .
In the stillness of the tomb
we keep watch for signs of your presence.
In the noise and distraction of our daily lives,
help us make time and space to recognise you.
Pause
A short Stations of the Cross arranged by Sr Pat Graham.
We praise you and Accepting Death © Gerry Fitzpatrick. St Mungo Music, Glasgow
Music sung by The St Mungo Singers. Graphics (c) Netta Ewing
